OREANDA-NEWS. Air New Zealand has commenced its new Auckland to Singapore daily service with the inaugural flight to Singapore taking off early this morning.

Norris Carter, Auckland Airport's general manager aeronautical commercial, says he congratulates Air New Zealand on this new daily service which brings significant capacity growth and improved connectivity.

“This service forms part of a strategic alliance between Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines that was formed earlier this year,” says Mr Carter. “The alliance has today seen Air New Zealand take over the existing Auckland to Singapore five-flight per week service that was previously operated by Singapore Airlines and replace it with a daily service.”

“The alliance also sees Singapore Airlines operate an Airbus A380 on its remaining daily service between Auckland and Singapore on a seasonal basis. We estimate that this will see a total additional capacity increase of at least 100,000 seats in the first year,” says Mr Carter.

“As well as this, Singapore is a critical hub airport and this alliance will provide improved connectivity to South East Asia and emerging markets such as India and Indonesia.”

“I congratulate the Air New Zealand team on the commencement of their Auckland to Singapore daily service and look forward to working with them on this in the future,” finishes Mr Carter.